Senior Director, Success Programs & Services

An established leader in the Northeast Ohio civic landscape, College Now has been changing the lives of students in our region since 1967. We do this by providing college and career access advising, financial aid counseling, and scholarship and retention services to students from middle school through adulthood. An individual filling this position can expect to have an impact on Northeast Ohio students and families.

When you work for College Now, you are part of an innovative and visionary team, committed to College Now's mission, vision, and values as we are committed to creating a collaborative workplace for team members. Offering superior benefits, ample opportunities for professional growth and development, and the chance to make an impact on the community, College Now is where careers are made and grown.

Position Title: Senior Director, Success Programs and Services
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Standard Hours: 40 hours/week; occasional evening and weekend hours
Location: Rotating between downtown office and school or partner sites; some hybrid flexibility
Reports To: Chief Success Officer
Salary Range: Between $80,000-$95,000, dependent on relevant experience
Assigned To: Success Department

Position Summary:

The Senior Director of Success Programs and Services provides strategic and operational leadership for College Now's student success portfolio, overseeing an approximate $1 million budget and leading a team that delivers individualized coaching and mentoring and volunteer-based mentoring services to college students. The Senior Director is responsible for program strategy and design, quality and continuous improvement, staff development, operational effectiveness, budget management, and achievement of program outcomes. As a member of the leadership team, the Senior Director contributes to organizational strategy, cultivates key partnerships, and leads initiatives that expand impact and advance College Now's mission.

Essential Functions:

Initiation, Planning:

• Set the direction and priorities for student success programs in alignment with organizational goals.
• Design and continuously improve programs using evidence-based practices, student needs, and performance data.
• Lead the development of program logic models, curricula, and implementation plans.
• Support grant writing and proposal development with internal and external partners.

Execution/Operations, Management, and Monitoring:

• Provide oversight across student success  programs and services to ensure consistent, high quality implementation.
• Oversee mentor recruitment and retention strategies.
• Identify and resolve any operational issues;
• Establish and monitor key program performance indicators related to student engagement, persistence, retention, completion and other defined success outcomes.

Budgeting:

• Develop and manage program budgets in collaboration with the Chief Success Officer and Finance team, ensuring resources are aligned with program priorities, grant requirements, and organizational goals.
• Track expenditures, monitor compliance, and ensure sound fiscal practices.

Business Development Support:

• Cultivate and maintain effective relationships with higher education institutions, community organizations, and funders.
• Promote College Now services locally and participate in outreach initiatives.
• Assist in securing in-kind and financial support for programs.

Leadership and Development of Staff:

• Lead and develop managers and other program staff, establishing clear expectations, accountability, and opportunity for professional development.
• Build leadership capacity among managers and support effective delegation, coaching, performance management, and succession planning.

Research and Program Evaluation/Compliance:

• Ensure high-quality program delivery and alignment with grant expectations.
• Define and track outcomes using logic models and data tools.
• Collaborate with Data Services to establish measures, analyze program performance, and ensure accurate and timely reporting to funders and other stakeholders.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Attend board and board committee meetings as needed.
• Participate in community events and special projects as needed.
• Serve as back-up at partner higher education institutions when necessary.

Must-Have Skills:

• Strong leadership and people management skills, including at least 3 to 5 years of experience supervising managers and developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and collaboration skills.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational abilities.
• Experience leading programs and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to use data and program outcomes to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of college student success strategies, coaching, mentoring, and retention practices.

Must-Have Technical Skills:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office, CRM systems, PowerBI, and virtual platforms.
• Skilled in using interactive tools for training and presentations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional coaching certification (ICF, Certified Academic Coach, or similar credential).
• Experience leading college access, college success, student support, or mentoring programs.
• Experience working with volunteer-based mentoring programs.
• Background in higher education, nonprofit, or community-based organizations.
• Experience developing partnerships with higher education institutions and community organizations.
• Experience managing grants, contracts, or externally funded programs.

Previous Work Experience:

• At least seven years in education, counseling, or nonprofit leadership.
• Experience managing staff and grant-funded programs.

Education Requirement:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred in education, counseling, social work, nonprofit management, or a related field.

Disclaimer: "Nothing in this position description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time."